objective
- Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; based on observable facts rather than emotions or bias.
- As a noun: a goal or aim that one works toward achieving.
In a sentence
- A good referee must remain objective and resist the pressure of a home crowd.
- The company's primary objective for the quarter was to reduce operating costs by fifteen percent.
Usage note. As an adjective, 'objective' contrasts with 'subjective'; as a noun it is often used in business and military contexts, where it is nearly synonymous with 'goal' or 'target.'
Where it comes from
English objective · entered English 17th c.
From Medieval Latin 'objectivus,' meaning 'of or belonging to the object,' derived from 'objectum' (something thrown before the mind), from 'obicere' (to throw before), combining 'ob' (against, before) and 'jacere' (to throw). The philosophical sense of 'existing independently of the mind' developed in the 17th century, and English adopted the word in that century, with the 'goal' sense following later.